The Pickleball BC Association Recognized by PFA Prestigious Award

Pickleball Federation of Americas Announces Pickleball BC Association (“PBCA”) Award of Excellence
 
Toronto, Canada, September 27, 2024 – Pickleball Federation of Americas announces 2024 Excellence Awards:

Pickleball Americas (PFA) announced the winners of the 2024 PFA Award of Excellence, celebrating outstanding achievements in the pickleball community. This year’s honorees represent remarkable contributions across grassroots advocacy, national leadership, and sports technology, furthering the growth and impact of pickleball around the globe.

Gary Schwartz, CEO and Chair of Pickleball Americas, stated, “The PFA Award of Excellence is our way of honoring the innovators and leaders who are driving pickleball forward. These organizations have set the standard for excellence in our sport, and we’re thrilled to celebrate their achievements.”

PBCA 2024 PFA’s Excellence Award Recipients:

Pickleball BC Association & Pickleball Schools were awarded the Grassroots Advocacy Award. Pickleball BC Association and its pioneering Pickleball Schools “Activating Youth Pickleball K-7” initiative assisted by a grant from viaSport, have been instrumental in expanding access to pickleball in communities across British Columbia. By empowering schools, teachers, and students with resources and training, they have created a strong foundation for the next generation of players. “Pickleball BC is a shining example of how grassroots initiatives can transform a local community and provide a platform for schools globally,” said Schwartz. “Their commitment to education and advocacy is truly inspiring.”

The 2024 PFA Award of Excellence highlights organizations that embody the spirit of innovation, leadership, and advocacy, essential to the continued growth of pickleball worldwide. Pickleball Americas (PFA) remains committed to supporting and recognizing those who contribute to the advancement of this dynamic and rapidly growing sport.

David Snell, President PBCA stated “As announced previously, PBCA was awarded a $30,000 grant from viaSport BC to carry on the tremendous EVES Pickleball Schools initiative started in 2022 by the Vancouver Pickleball Club, and expand this program throughout BC. We chose 3 sites for Phase 1 of this expansion: Vancouver Area sponsored by Vancouver Pickleball Club, Vancouver Island sponsored by Victoria Regional Pickleball Association, and Thompson Okanagan sponsored by the Vernon Pickleball Club.  PBCA invested in this program along with our sponsors. I can’t tell you how excited I and the team are about this BC youth program and the goal is to share our project's further-developed curriculum and tool set with all our clubs in BC in 2025.” 
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For more information about Pickleball America and the PFA Award of Excellence, visit www.pickleballamericas.org

The PFA.
The PFA (Pickleball Federation of the Americas) was established to represent the Americas.
It has two main foci:

1. grassroots adoption of the sport, and
2. fostering tournament play across the member countries.
   
   

Here is Their mission statement:
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The Pickleball Federation of the Americas (PFA) is the standard bearer of Pickleball across the Americas. Our mission is to foster grassroots adoption of the sport in schools and communities from Toronto to Santiago. Pickleball Americas works closely with the Global Pickleball Federation to standardize training and the rules of the sport as well as with Pickleball Schools to drive inclusion, service special needs and foster intergenerational play.
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The PFA currently has 18 member countries including Canada, the US and ​Mexico.

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